Food trailer SLAB BBQ will open its first brick-and-mortar location in mid-summer in North Austin.

Co-owner Mark Avalos said the permanent location will allow the business to grow its catering services. SLAB BBQ already operates a food trailer that frequents North Austin, and its new location will be in the former Texas Rib Kings spot at 9012 Research Blvd., Ste. C-4.

"This space happened to pop up, and the deal was too good to pass up," Avalos said. "We like the area; it's great and thriving."

SLAB BBQ is known for its barbecue meat sandwiches, such as the Notorious P.I.G. pulled pork sandwich, and its use of slow-smoked meats made in different styles from Memphis, the Carolinas and Texas. Avalos said the restaurant also serves pork ribs.

"The purists will be happy to see the ribs on the menu," he said.

SLAB BBQ was founded in 2006 as Sugar Shack BBQ, but Avalos said they had to change the name to SLAB BBQ because it conflicted with another existing business. SLAB is an acronym for slow, low and bangin'.

For more information, call 512-221-9052 or visit www.dopebbq.com.

Other Impacts

COMING SOON— Adrian and Margaret Eissler are opening Austin Gymnastics Club on July 7 at 8516 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 102. The business will offer classes in introductory and advanced gymnastics and cheerleading/tumbling for children starting in pre-K. AGC will offer free classes throughout July. 512-577-3745. www.austingymnasticsclub.com

EXPANSION— In late June, Ji Chen and Phillip Toney will open a new kitchen and pickup location at 8650 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 133 B, for their prepared meals and smoothie business called The Lighthouse. The smoothie bar started four years ago inside the 24 Hour Fitness at 10616 Research Blvd., which is also a pickup location for the prepared meals program they started a year and a half ago. The meals are low-carb and use all-natural meats. Chen and Toney will start selling discounted meals to single-parent families in July through a new program called Love Affordable Meal Plans, or LAMP. 512-426-3766. www.efitmeal.com

RELOCATION— Les and Pat Wittman relocated Sweet Caroline's Snow Shack from 7120 Burnet Road to 8012 Mesa Drive. The trailer opened April 11 and serves New Orleans–style snowballs made of finely shaved ice and homemade simple syrups. The snow shack has 60 flavors of snowballs and four creams. The location has outdoor seating. www.sweetcarolinessnowshack.com